Dufenhof Swissies

Eliza Jane is wonderfully typical Swissy bitch. Or at least a what used to be typical in our breed and is all too often considered “old style” now. A big, beautiful drafty girl, solidly built and with a zest for life that makes her both fun to live with and a pain in the patoot.  Luckily for her, even when she is at her orneriest I tend to think she’s just grand.

Eliza was a standout even as a little puppy. Her littermates were all quite nice but she was the one everyone gravitated to when they would meet the puppies. It wasn’t just because she was pretty which she was. It was because her personality just dominated the room and you couldn’t keep from looking at her. And once she had your attention she didn’t relinquish it until she found something or someone else that redirected her focus. Happily it was my litter and I was smart enough to keep the puppy who had been charming me from day one. 

As a youngster Eliza was very much the tomboy.  She was happiest  racing through the woods with the boys.  And she was always the one leading the charge.  She had seemingly limitless  energy and usually was still ready to play long after everyone else had run out of steam.  Although she did eventually discover the “joy of lounging” she has never fully outgrown  the fun of running at top speed  with the rest of the Swissies.

When not running amok or soaking up the sun on he back deck, Eliza enjoys  lounging  inside on whatever comfy spot she can find. Her favorite spot is of course on my bed, not just for comfort, but because  she can lounge in comfort while having a good view out the windows so she is sure not to miss any of the action happening outside.

Much like her mother, Madison, Eliza was a lot of fun in the show ring and proved to be quite competitive. Her first time in the show ring was at a supported entry weekend and she walked off with Best of Winners.   Less than six months later she finished her championship with her third major -- a five point major at that.  As if that wasn’t enough, her lovely win was awarded by the same judge who a dozen or so years before had awarded her great-grandfather Best of Breed at the National Specialty.   However, as we happily accepted the ribbons that day Eliza retired from the show ring and went back to her life of running amok in the woods and snoozing in the sun. All of Eliza’s points were won from the Bred-By Exhibitor class, which earned her an invitation to the Eukanuba Invitational Dog Show.

Eliza’s latest adventure has been in the whelping box. A first-time mom at age 4-½, she proved that you can teach an old dog new tricks. The wild girl racing around with her friends transformed herself into a calm & gentle mother.  She is an incredible mother and  it’s obvious that she clearly enjoys her puppies -- both as little puppies and later as young adults joining her on romps through the woods.


Eliza's offspring are busy making their mom proud both in and out of the show ring.  While most of her puppies live in the eastern half of the US, several right here in Virginia, her son Makous lives in the Czech Republic.

To see photos of some of Eliza's puppies go here

Eliza's titled offspring include:

Herman, Ch Dufenhof Fielder's Choice

Dewey, Dufenhof Wabash Cannonball, RN, CGC, NWPD, HIT

Makous, Int Ch Dufenhof Sir Nigel 

Marco, Ch Dufenhof Flood Warning

Eliza

Ch Dufenhof Just Wild About Harry

Breeders: Ellyn M Signet , Mary Ann  & John Maher

Date of Birth: April 24, 2006

Eliza's Health Clearances

P2Y12 Status: Carrier (4 offspring tested: 1 Clear, 1 Carrier, 2 Affected)

Sire:  Ch Dufenhof Triumphant Chances

Dam: Ch Dufenhof Song of the South

Eliza's Pedigree 

 Champion Eliza

Eliza finished her championship in style with a 5 point major win, over a large entry. The judge was breed-specialist, Larry Stein.